Tea tree oil: Australian for skin health

Better Nutrition, August, 1997 by Nancy Dodd Cates

Over the last 30 years, there has been a renewed interest in the medicinal value of tea tree oil throughout many parts of the world. In the June 1996 issue of Soap Perfumery & Cosmetics, one expert in the cosmetics industry commented that the return to natural ingredients is occurring as a reaction against a synthetic culture. "Because of our processed culture, for a time we lost sight that there is so much goodness in nature. Now there's a feeling of let's get back to it."

Because of the increased need for production, there are a variety of tea tree oil blends available. According to the managing director of one manufacturing concern, there are over 220 species of Melaleuca, but the only true tea tree oil is the Melaleuca alterifolia.

Be sure when purchasing tea tree oil that you are getting the pure oil of the M. alternifolia. The oil should not be more than 10-15 percent cineole (a caustic reaction of higher percentages) and should be at least 30 percent terpinen-4-ol (a compound which aids the healing of the skin.)

The optimum benefit of any essential oil or natural product can only be reaped when it is used at the earliest signs of a problem. Don't wait to see if the condition will go away on its own. As time passes, most conditions become less responsive to treatment. If any condition persists, or it is a condition for which you have not been treated, consult your health-care provider immediately.

Although most essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil, tea tree oil (as well as lavender) can be used without dilution. Depending on the application, particularly for some treatments, you will still want to use tea tree oil in a base oil such as olive, almond, or other carrier oils, or even in distilled water. Always dilute essential oils when used directly on a baby's or young child's skin (e.g., for some infant's conditions such as cradle cap and diaper rash).

Tea tree oil is considered nontoxic; however, despite its use in oral preparations, the general consensus is that it should not be taken internally as there may be a poisonous effect to some individuals, especially children and infants. If external use creates any irritation, it should be discontinued immediately, after which the irritation should clear up quickly.

There are innumerable suggestions for making your own tea tree oil preparations for specific conditions. But because tea tree oil is so readily available in a wide variety of products, you might first check to see if there is an item already on the shelf that fits your needs.

For specific tea tree oil uses, see The "Medicine Chest in a Bottle".

REFERENCES

Colwell, Shelley M. "Jungle Fever: Natural Ingredients in Cosmetics," Soap Cosmetics Chemical Specialties, June 1996.

Ericksen, Marlene. "The Scent that Soothes: Aromatherapy Care for Childhood Ailments," Mothering, September 22, 1996.

"The History of Tea Tree Oil," Networking On-line, 1995. (Excerpted from "Australian Tea Tree Oil: An Introduction to the Medicine Chest in a Bottle," Daniel Dotson, M.D., and Thomas Pool, D.C.)